Chapter 692
Chapter 692:
“That’s right. I want Annabel to die,” Talia said, hatred brimming in her eyes.
Dominik swirled the liquor in his glass and stared out the French window at the men and women writhing on the dance floor below. After a long, deliberate silence, he said, “You just have to say the word, and I’ll do it p>
“Really?” Talia had done her research before coming, but doubt still gnawed at her.
How could it not? She had tried to kill Annabel so many times, and it had never worked.
“If you came to me, you must have heard of my reputation in the underworld.” Dominik’s lips curved faintly. “Do you know how I got to where I am today p>
He gave a mirthless smile and continued, “I climbed up slowly, step by step, never skipping anything. My face was cut and ruined.” His fingers tightened around the glass. “Then, when the opportunity finally came, I cut off my enemy’s head p>
The look on his face as he said it sent a chill through Talia.
Everything about him screamed danger. A part of her wanted to run.
But when Annabel’s face flashed through her mind, she crushed that impulse.
It was worth the risk.
“What do you want in return?” Talia asked, getting straight to the point.
She knew nothing came free. If they were going to do this, they had to negotiate.
Dominik’s satisfied smile deepened as he drained his glass in one go. Then he said, “I want you to sleep with me p>
Talia froze, caught off guard by the brazen hunger in his stare.
If she was honest, she had expected this. They were adults, and Dominik had been after her for years. Now that she needed his help, he was using his advantage to take what he’d always wanted.
The thought of giving herself to someone so cruel made her stomach turn. But if it meant Annabel would be out of Rory’s life after this, then she could endure it.
It wasn’t as if Dominik would be her first.
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Talia curled her hands into fists, forcing her voice steady as she stepped closer. “Okay. I’ll do it p>
Dominik rose immediately, closing the distance with a force that made Talia’s breath catch. He pinned her with his presence, his voice rough at her ear. The room suddenly felt smaller, the music from below a distant pulse.
“Here?” Talia blurted, shock and humiliation flashing through her. She glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window and felt heat crawl up her neck. Anyone who looked up would—
She swallowed hard. She was the eldest daughter of the Clifford family. She couldn’t let herself be seen like this.
Dominik’s mouth twitched. “What? Having second thoughts p>
Talia’s nausea sharpened, but she didn’t back away. She had already made her choice.
Dominik’s tone lowered, cold and satisfied. “Don’t forget why you came to me p>
Shame flooded Talia, heavy and choking, but she clenched her jaw and forced herself not to flinch. Inwardly, she cursed Annabel with a viciousness that steadied her.